Residents of Gove Peninsula Region and beyond are one step closer to an integrated flexible aged care and disability service, with the completion of concept building designs for a Flexible Aged Care facility in Nhulunbuy.

East Arnhem Shire Council has supported the development of a flexible aged care facility in Nhulunbuy since the Shire’s inception, working closely with the Department of Health and Ageing to provide overall management for community consultations and designs for the facility.

“The completion of the community consultation and development of concept building designs is the first step to seeing Flexible Aged Care service to fruition”, East Arnhem Shire Council, Director of Community Services Mr Dale Keehne said.

“A Flexible Aged Care Service in Nhulunbuy will combine with the existing aged care services in communities to provide a holistic, regional approach to the care of some of the most vulnerable people in East Arnhem”.

“The Shire will continue to be an advocate for this service, and looks forward to working with the Australian Government to engage specialist aged care providers to take up the delivery of this important service”.

Key issues the Shire would like government to address are the provision of necessary housing for key managers of the facility and ongoing, adequate funding to operate the service.

In addition to the facility development in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem Shire Council has secured $2.3M for the upgrade of aged care facilities at Milingimbi and Galiwin’ku and a further $280,000 for new aged care vehicles at Umbakumba, Milingimbi and Gapuwiyak.

East Arnhem Shire Council President Banambi Wunungmurra emphasised the Shire would continue to champion for the people of East Arnhem.

“The Shire will continue to push for the successful development; creation and ongoing operation of this greatly needed facility and services for frail aged and Indigenous people with a disability in the region.”